Date: March 22, 2025
Bella’s Message:
“Good evening, everyone! I’m so excited to be here with you tonight. I want to share a story about faith, determination, and standing firm in what we believe in, even when the odds seem stacked against us. It’s about a young woman named Jordan Patel, a figure skater right here in Bethesda, Maryland.
Jordan had one dream—to compete at the national level in figure skating. She trained tirelessly, balancing long hours on the ice with helping her mother run their struggling coffee shop near the local ice rink. It wasn’t easy, but Jordan loved both her family and her sport.
One day, news broke that a wealthy developer planned to demolish the ice rink to build luxury condos. For Jordan, this wasn’t just a building—it was her second home, the place where she poured out her heart and soul. Losing it meant losing everything she had worked for. It would have been easy to give up, to accept that she was just one person who couldn’t make a difference. But Jordan wasn’t one to back down.
With the help of a former rival, Lena Brooks, she started rallying the community. They organized petitions, reached out to the media, and even planned a major skating event to raise awareness. But just as things were looking hopeful, Jordan uncovered a truth that shook her world—her own family had ties to the developer threatening to tear down the rink. Suddenly, her battle was more than just saving a building. It became a journey of understanding her own past and realizing that sometimes, the biggest challenges aren’t just external—they’re within us.
Now, let’s pause and ask ourselves: Have you ever felt like the odds were against you? Have you ever faced a challenge that seemed too big to handle? Maybe it’s a tough situation at school, pressure from friends, or doubts about your own abilities. In moments like these, we have two choices—we can give up, or we can trust that God has a greater purpose.
Proverbs 16:9 says, ‘In their hearts, humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.’ Jordan thought her battle was about an ice rink, but God was using it to teach her about courage, resilience, and family. Sometimes, we focus so much on what we think we’re fighting for that we don’t see the bigger picture God is painting in our lives.
Bethesda is a city that has changed a lot over the years. It started as a quiet community but has grown into a thriving urban center with amazing restaurants, theaters, and cultural attractions. Change can be good, but it can also be scary. Just like Jordan had to embrace change and trust that something greater was happening, we, too, have to trust God when things shift around us.
Tonight, I challenge you—what is something in your life that feels overwhelming? What is a dream you’re afraid to chase? What battle do you feel like you’re losing? I want you to remember that just because things seem difficult doesn’t mean God isn’t working. Sometimes, He uses the hardest moments to shape us into the people we’re meant to be.
Group Discussion Questions:
- Have you ever faced a situation where you felt powerless? How did you handle it?
- What is something you are passionate about that you would fight for, like Jordan fought for her ice rink?
- How can you trust God more in difficult situations?
- Do you believe God is guiding your steps, even when you don’t understand where you’re going? Why or why not?
Fellowship and Reflection:
After the meeting, the youth gathered for snacks and continued discussions about their own challenges and dreams. Some opened up about struggles at school, while others shared how they wanted to be bolder in their faith. As the night ended, there was a sense of encouragement in the room—a reminder that no matter what they faced, God was walking with them, just like He walked with Jordan through her journey.
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